Sliver can donning and doffing apparatus for coilers

ABSTRACT

Sliver cans are donned by moving them inwardly in alternation, first from one side of a coiler head, then from the opposite side of the coiler head, into coiling position under the coiler head, and the coiling position under the can moved inwardly from one side of the coiler head is offset from the coiling position of each can moved inwardly from the opposite side of the coiler head. Also, each sliver can moved inwardly to coiling position from one side of the coiler head is rotated in one direction during the coiling operation, and each sliver can moved inwardly to coiling position from the opposite side of the coiler head is rotated in the opposite direction during the coiling operation. The doffing of each full can of sliver is effected simply by utilizing a succeeding can being moved into coiling position for engaging and pushing the full can outwardly from under the coiler head.

United States Paten 9] Johns [451 May 1, 1973 1 SLIVER CAN DONNING AND DOFFING APPARATUS FOR COILERS [75] Inventor: Herman S. Johns, Patterson, N.C.

[73] Assignee: Wellman Industries, Inc., Johnsonville, SC.

[22] Filed: Nov. 24, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 92,435

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,325,253 3/1963 France ..l9/l59A 514,932 12/1930 Germany ..l9/l59A Primary Examiner-Dorsey Newton Att0mey--Parr0tt, Bell, Seltzer, Park & Gibson [5 7 ABSTRACT Sliver cans are donned by moving them inwardly in alternation, first from one side of a coiler head, then from the opposite side of the coiler head, into coiling position under the coiler head, and the coiling position under the can moved inwardly from one side of the coiler head is offset from the coiling position of each can moved inwardly from the opposite side of the coiler head. Also, each sliver can moved inwardly to coiling position from one side of the coiler head is rotated in one direction during the coiling operation, and each sliver can moved inwardly to coiling position from the opposite side of the coiler head is rotated in the opposite direction during the coiling operation. The doffing of each full can of sliver is effected simply by utilizing a succeeding can being moved into coiling position for engaging and pushing the full can outwardly from under the coiler head.

28 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures Patented May 1, 1973 10 Sheets-Sheet l N 4 m R M 1 H w Patented May 1, 1973 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 5 ms m m\% W m J/ fl 2% 6 WW Patented May 1, 1973 3,729,176

10 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. H EEMAN S. JoHNs ATTORNEYS 7 Patented May 1, 1973 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented May 1, 1973 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented May 1, 1973 10 Sheets-Sheet Q Patented May 1, 1973 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 Patented May 1, 1973 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 Patented May 1, 1973 3,729,776

10 Sheets-Sheet 9 l/ENTO/E: HERMAN S. OHN$ F -41 WMW M ATTORNEYS Patented May 1, 1973 10 Sheets-Sheet 1O INVENTOR. HERMAN S. Jomqs SLIVER CAN DONNING AND DOFFING APPARATUS FOR COILERS Many different forms of sliver can changing apparatuses have been proposed heretofore. Many of them have utilized a rotary series of spider-like arms or can supporting arms for advancing empty and full sliver cans in a circular path into and out of operative position beneath the coil forming member of a textile coiler. Obviously, such arms, and cans advanced thereby, require considerable space adjacent the coiler. Other sliver can changing apparatuses have utilized mechanisms for linearly advancing sliver cans stepwise in one direction laterally of the coiler, thus requiring rows of sliver cans cross-wise of and blocking the alleys between adjacent sliver producing machines. To my knowledge the latter form of can changing apparatuses have only been designed for use with coilers having rotating turntables supporting the cans during the coiling operation.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved method and apparatus for donning and doffing sliver cans in which alternate and intervening sliver cans are moved into operative relation beneath a coiler head from adjacent respective opposite sides thereof so as to provide can changing apparatus which is of clean, compact construction and does not require that the sliver cans be advanced in circular or long linear paths.

Another object is to provide method and apparatus in which sliver cans advanced to the coiler head from one side thereof are placed in a coiling position offset from and partially overlapping that coiling position to which sliver cans are advanced from the opposite side of the coiler head, thus reducing the lateral space which would be required otherwise to accommodate the can transfer members, if all of the cans had to be placed in the same coiling position.

Still another object is to provide method and apparatus for coiling sliver into sliver cans from a common coiler head in which alternate cans moved into coiling position are rotated in the opposite direction from that in which intervening cans are rotated.

A more specific object is to provide a donning and doffing apparatus for textile coilers which is particularly adapted to accommodate castered sliver cans and to rotate the same relative to a rotary coil forming member without the need for a can-supporting turntable beneath the coil forming member.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of sliver can changing apparatus for carrying out the improved method of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing how sliver cans advanced to the coiler head from one side thereof are placed in a coiling position offset from and partially overlapping the coiling position in which there are placed sliver cans advanced from the opposite side of the coiler head;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view, partially in section, taken substantially along line 3-3 in FIG. 1 and showing one of the sliver cans as driven in coiling position with parts of the can changing apparatus positioned to initiate a can changing cycle;

FIG. 4 is a further enlarged rear elevation of the central portion of the can changing apparatus as viewed from the front or discharge end of the corresponding sliver processing machine and being taken substantially along line 4-4 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional plan view taken substantially along line 5-5 in FIG. 4 with parts occupying positions such as to effect a stroke from left to right of the can changing transfer members;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are sectional plan views similar to FIG. 5 illustrating successive stages in the completion of a can changing stroke of the transfer members from left to right; i.e., from the solid line position to the dotted line position shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along line 8-8 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary plan view of a toggle mechanism for the pawl (shown in the left-hand portion of FIG. 5) which transmits a translational motion to the transfer members from a rotary driving element;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view taken substantially along line 10-10 in FIG. 4 in which various movable parts occupy positions corresponding to FIG. 5;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged elevation, partially in section, showing the timing device appearing in the upper portion of FIG. 4;

FIG. 12 is a vertical sectional view through the timing device of FIG. 1 1;

FIG. 13 is a somewhat schematic plan view of primary pawl control means shown in FIG. 10, but with parts thereof occupying a different position, and showing one of two toggle units associated with the timing device;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary plan view similar to the central portion of FIG. 13, showing the pawl actuating trigger shipper bar in phantom, dash-dot, lines and particularly illustrating the other of the two toggle units associated with the timing device; and

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through the shifting bar for the can transfer members taken substantially along line I5-15 in FIG. 5.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, the can changing apparatus of this invention is adapted for use with a textile coiler having an elevated coiler head 20 which receives a sliver S from a sliver forming machine 21 such as a drawing frame, carding machine or the like, and which is shown, for example, in the form of a gilling machine in FIG. 1. The coiler head 20 may be of conventional or other construction and includes the usual spectacle plate 22 in which a rotary coiler plate or coil forming member 23 (FIG. 2) is positioned for rotation on a substantially vertical axis. Coil forming member 23 may be driven by conventional means, not shown, operatively associated with sliver forming machine 21. Member 23 discharges sliver therefrom at a point eccentrically of the axis thereof, as represented by a sliver delivery opening 24 in the coil forming member 23. Thus, coil forming member 23 delivers the sliver therefrom in the form of substantially circular or elliptical coils into each successive sliver can located in coiling position under coiler head 20.

Although the can changing apparatus of this invention may be used in association with coiler heads of the well known planetary type wherein the sliver cans remain stationary during the coiling of sliver thereinto, the can changing apparatus of this invention is particularly useful in association with the standard type coiler head in which each successive can is rotated relative to the rotary coil forming member 23, without the need for providing a rotary turntable for supporting each successive sliver can under the coiler head 20. In other words, the can changing apparatus of this invention is designed to accommodate castered sliver cans and to rotate such castered sliver cans during the coiling of sliver thereinto.

The can changing apparatus is adapted to accommodate two cans at a time; i.e., a first or full can C and a second empty or reserve can C although it is to be understood that other sliver cans may be located in the general vicinity of the apparatus, as desired. Each sliver can C, C includes the usual open-topped substantially cylindrical body provided with a bottom wall 26 to the lower surface of which a plurality of casters or supporting rollers 27 are suitably secured.

In order to rotate each successive sliver can when it is moved into coiling position under coiler head 20, a circular engageable means, in the form of a circular band, encircles and is suitably secured to the lower portion of each sliver can C, C'. The circular engageable means 30 is substantially concentric with each respective sliver can and is provided with a circular series of substantially equally spaced apertures 31 therethrough adapted to receive teeth of a driven rotary element or driving means to be later described and thus, the circular engageable means 30 serves as a gear encircling the lower portion of each respective sliver can. For a more detailed disclosure of sliver cans of this type, reference is made to my copending application Ser. No. 52,408, filed July 6, 1970, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,646,640 and entitled TEXTILE COILER WITH COOPERATING DRIVE MEANS AND SLIVER CAN LOCATING MEANS.

Although the can changing apparatus may be secured directly to the floor of the mill, it is preferred that it is supported on a thin, elongate, base plate suitably secured to the floor. Base plate 40 serves as a substantially planar supporting surface upon which the supporting rollers 27 of successive sliver cans C, C roll during substantially linear or translational and rotational movement of the sliver cans. Corner posts 41 on base plate 40 support an elevated spectacle plate extension 42 whose lower surface is substantially flush with the lower surface of spectacle plate 22 and coil forming I member 23. Since the can changing apparatus is located adjacent the front portion of sliver forming machine 21 in FIG. 1, the upper and lower portions of each of FIGS. 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 10, 13 and 14 may be considered as respective rear and front sides of the parts there shown, for the purpose of this disclosure.

The can changing apparatus comprises laterally spaced first and second transfer members 45, 46, preferably in the form of substantially horizontally extending arcuate transfer arms whose concave proximal or inner surfaces preferably substantially conform to the curvature of the sliver cans C, C therebetween. Each transfer member may be of channel-like construction and has a pair of rollers 47, 48 joumaled therein on substantially vertical axes and projecting inwardly therefrom, thus serving as can engaging surfaces of the transfer members. Although the rear ends of transfer members 45, 46 are pivotally mounted on respective vertical axes, they move substantially unitarily in generally lateral paths from respective inoperative positions, spaced from respective opposite sides of the axis of coil forming member 23 (FIG. 2), to respective operative positions more closely adjacent the axis of the coil forming member. The transfer members 45, 46 are also arranged so that the second transfer member 46 occupies inoperative position whenever the first transfer member occupies operative position, and vice versa.

As shown in FIG. 3, the rear end portions of transfer members 45, 46 are pivotally connected, as at 51, 52, to opposite ends of a stationary bar 53 suitably secured to base plate 40. The transfer members 45, 46 are of substantial length and therefore, it is preferred that the transfer members 45, 46 are positioned closely adjacent the base plate 40 and are each provided with a suitable roller 54 journaled on a substantially horizontal axis in the lower portion thereof, and which will ride upon base plate 40 and thus support the free outer or rear end portions of transfer members 45, 46.

Shifting means is operatively connected to transfer members 45, 46 for imparting arcuate but substantially linear lateral translational movement thereto in concert, so as to alternately move the first and second transfer members 45, 46 from their respective inoperative positions into their respective operative positions at predetermined intervals, and thereby to move each respective empty sliver can engaged thereby laterally into coiling position under the coil forming member 23 while the particular empty can being moved into coiling position engages and moves a preceding or full sliver can outwardly from under the coil forming member. It will be noted in FIG. 3 that the distance between the deepest portions of the arcuate can engaging surfaces, or the arcs defined by rollers 47, 48 of transfer members 45, 46, is somewhat greater than the combined diameters of the two sliver cans C, C. However, the length of stroke of each transfer member is substantially less than the diameter of each sliver can; i.e., each alternate can moved into operative relation with the coil forming member 23 (FIG. 2) by transfer member 45 is positioned in a coiling position offset with respect to the coiling position into which each intervening can is moved by the transfer arm 46.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the offset relationship of the coiling positions of the alternate and intervening sliver cans is such that the leading surface portion of each can being donned or positioned in coiling position by either transfer member 45 or 46 is moved into a position short of that occupied by the immediately preceding can so that it only partially overlaps the area or coiling posi tion previously occupied by the immediately preceding can then being doffed. In other words, each can moved into operative position by first transfer member 45 is offset toward the inoperative position of first transfer member 45. Conversely, each can moved into operative position by second transfer member 46 is offset toward the inoperative position of second transfer member 46. Also, the rollers 48, which are positioned in the free end portions of transfer members 45, 46, are spaced apart a distance greater than the diameter of each sliver can but less than the combined diameters of the two cans C, C so that an empty sliver can, such as the can C, may be readily inserted through the space between a can, then occupying coiling position with respect to coiler head 20 (FIG. 1), and that transfer member then occupying inoperative position.

The transfer member shifting means comprises a laterally extending shifting bar 60, to opposing end portions of which the front portions of transfer members 45, 46 are pivotally connected, as at 61, 62, at points closely adjacent and forwardly of the respective stationary pivots 51, 52. It should be noted that the pivots 51, 52 for the forward ends of transfer arms or members 45, 46 are spaced substantially equidistantly from opposing sides of, and located rearwardly of, the vertical axis of coil forming member 23.

A medial portion of shifting bar 60, preferably about half-way between pivots 61, 62, has a substantially T- shaped shifting cam 64 suitably secured to the upper surface thereof and extending forwardly therefrom. Shifting cam 64 is provided with a pair of laterally spaced, rearwardly facing, cam surfaces 64a, 64b thereon to aid in positioning a double-ended pawl 90 in a neutral or balanced position as will be later described. Shifting cam 64 also has a forwardly and rearwardly extending cam slot 65 therein which is engaged by a follower 66.

Follower 66 is carried by and depends from a substantially horizontally disposed rocker lever 67 which, as best shown in FIG. 8, is pivotally supported at a medial portion thereof by being suitably secured to the lower end of a substantially vertically disposed core shaft 70 concentric with the tubular output drive shaft 71 of a gear reduction unit or gear box 72. Core shaft 70 also is concentric with a rotary driving means or composite driving element 73 suitably secured to the lower end of the vertically disposed tubular drive shaft. In order that drive shaft 71 and rotary driving element 73 may rotate independently of core shaft 70 and rocker lever 67, core shaft 70 is journaled, as by means of an antifriction bearing 74, in driving element 73.

As best shown in FIGS. 4, 8 and gear box 72 is suitably secured upon a platform 76 spaced above base plate 40 by means of a frame member 77 which is substantially arcuate in plan. The gearing in gear box 72 is driven by a reversible electric motor 80 (FIG. 4) whose housing is suitably supported by gear box 72 and is disposed in offset relation to the axis of output drive shaft 71. The reversible motor 80 is connected to a suitable source of electrical energy, not shown, by means of a suitable reversing drum switch 82 whose switch components are moved between forward and reverse positions by rotating a switch shaft 83 (FIGS. 4, 10, 11 and 13) depending from the housing of drum switch 82. The housing of drum switch 82 is suitably secured to the upper portion of a standard 84 whose lower portion is suitably secured to gear box 72. The means for controlling the switch 82 will be later described. Since drum switches and associated circuitry for controlling a reversible motor are generally well known, a detailed illustration and description thereof is deemed unnecessary.

Referring again to driving element 73, it will be observed in FIGS. 5-8 and 10 that it takes the form of a composite peripherally toothed gear or sprocket wheel 73a and a circular guide disc 73b. Guide disc 73b is of a diameter slightly greater than the root diameter of the teeth of gear 73a so that guide disc 73b will engage the circular band 30 on each successive sliver can moved into coiling position and thereby control the depth of intermeshing of the teeth of gear 73a with respect to the tooth portions defined between the apertures 35a of the circular band 30 on the corresponding sliver can. During coiling of sliver into the first sliver can C, as in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, gear 73a is rotating in a counterclockwise direction and drives can C in a clockwise direction with its supporting rollers 27 rolling on base plate 40.

Referring now to rocker lever 67, one end thereof extends outwardly beyond driving element 73 in FIGS. 5-8 and carries the double-ended or double-headed pawl and associated toggle mechanism which aids in controlling the position of pawl 90 relative to the teeth of gear 73a. As shown in FIG. 8, pawl 90 is suitably secured on a medial portion of an upright shaft 91, above rocker lever 67, and shaft 91 is joumaled in and loosely penetrates rocker lever 67. The outer portion of a generally heart-shaped, hollow, toggle cam 92 is suitably secured on the lower end of pivot shaft 91 and the inner surface of cam 92, remote from shaft 91, is engaged by one end of a compression spring 93. The other end of compression spring 93 engages one flattened side of a collar 94 (FIG. 9) fixed on the lower end of a corresponding pivot shaft 95 joumaled in rocker lever 67.

Since both pawl 90 and toggle cam 92 are fixed on shaft 91, spring 93 urges pawl 90 to either side of dead center with respect to the longitudinal axis of rocker lever 67 extending through shaft 70, to thus urge the corresponding ends of pawl 90 alternately toward gear 73a. The other end of rocker lever 67 is pointed or of substantially V-shaped form to provide opposing end cam surfaces 67a, 67b thereon which are adapted to engage, in alternation, respective locking rollers 60a, 60b joumaled on the upper arms of respective substantially C-shaped brackets 60c, 60d.

As best shown in FIG. 15, the upper arm of each bracket 60c, 60d overlies shifting bar 60, and lower arms thereof extend under shifting bar 60. Opposite ends of a tension spring 602 are connected to the lower anns of brackets 60c, 60d and urge each such lower arm toward a corresponding limiting abutment 60f (FIGS. 8 and 15) projecting downwardly from shifting bar 60. The rear portion of each bracket 60c, 60d is joumaled in a bearing block 60g suitably secured to the rear surface of shifting bar 60. The purpose served by the spring biased locking rollers 60a, 60b will be later described.

The movement of transfer members 45, 46 from left to right in FIG. 3 is effected, in part, by moving pawl 90 from the inactive broken line position of FIG. 5 to the respective one of two active positions in which the then forward end of pawl 90 engages gear 73a as in solid lines in FIG. 5. Similarly, right to left movement of transfer members 45, 46 is effected, in part, by moving pawl 90 from an inactive position to the other of two active positions in which the other, then forward, end of pawl 90 engages gear 73a. To this end, gear 73a is straddled by a pair of laterally spaced two-armed triggers 100, (FIGS. 5, 6, 8 and 10) which operate in alternation to cam or push pawl 90 off of dead center so it will snap into engagement with gear 73a.

Triggers 100, 100' are biased inwardly toward active positions, in alternation, by respective tension springs 101, 101 connecting the distal arms of triggers 100, 100' to cranks 102, 102 fixed on pivot shafts 103, 103' carried by opposite ends of frame member 77 (FIG. Pivot shafts 103, 103 are vertically disposed and the lower ends thereof have respective spring loading arms 104, 104 fixed thereon and projecting forwardly therefrom into the plane of movement of locking rollers 60a, 60b.

While transfer members 45, 46 occupy the left-hand or solid line positions of FIG. 3, the pawl-carrying end of locket lever 67 is positioned to the left of gear 73a, shifting bar 60 occupies its extreme left-hand position with respect to gear 73a and coiler head 20, and thus left-hand locking roller 60a will have displaced lefthand loading arm 104 to the left of its normal inactive position, as in FIGS. 5 and 10, thereby loading or stressing the corresponding spring 101. Under these conditions, it will be observed in FIG. 5 that right-hand locking roller 50b is then spaced to the left of or inwardly from the right-hand loading am 104' so that spring 101 then is in a substantially relaxed condition.

Conversely, when transfer members 45, 46 occupy the right-hand or broken-line positions of FIG. 3, lefthand locking roller 60:: is spaced from loading arm 104 and right-hand locking roller 60b is in engagement with right-hand loading arm 104' so that left-hand spring 101 is in a substantially relaxed condition while righthand spring 101' is in loaded or tensioned condition. The purpose for which springs 101, 101' are loaded in alternation will be later described.

Triggers 100, 100 are suitably secured on the lower ends of respective upright rocker shafts 106, 106' journaled in the platform 76 and in respective tubular posts 107, 107. Posts 107, 107 are suitably secured to and extend upwardly from platform 76. As best shown in FIGS. 4, 10 and 13, rocker shafts 106, 106' project upwardly beyond posts 107, 107' and have the front ends of respective bifurcated crank arms 110, 110' suitably secured thereto. The rear ends of crank arms 110," 110' pivotally support opposite ends of a trigger shipper bar 1 l 1 which extends laterally between standard 84 and a timing device, broadly designated at 112, mounted on the upper end of drive shaft 71. Primary pawl control means is provided and comprises upper and lower shipper toggle ,units 114, 114' disposed respectively above and beneath shipper bar 111 (FIGS. 4, 10, 13 and 14). Toggle units 114, 114 serve to operate reversing drum switch 82 and aid in operating triggers 100, 100..

Toggle units 114, 114 include respective pairs of pivotally interconnected links a, b, a, b arranged to operate in opposition to each other; i.e., whenever toggle unit 114 is open, as in FIG. 13, toggle unit 114 is closed, as in FIG. 14. Conversely, whenever toggle unit 114 is open, toggle unit 114 is closed, as in FIG. 10. The distal ends of the upper toggle link b and the lower toggle link a are mounted on respective stationary pivots, and the distal ends of upper link a and lower link b are mounted on respective movable pivots movable with trigger shipper bar 111. In other words, the righthand end portion of upper right-hand toggle link b is secured on a lower portion of drum switch shaft 83 which is, in turn, journaled in a substantially horizontally disposed upper toggle support bracket 1 16. On the other hand, the left-hand end portion of the left-hand lower toggle link a is pivotally connected, as at 1 17, to a lower toggle support bracket 116' (FIGS. 10, 11 and 14). The distal ends of links a, b are pivotally connected, as at 120, 120 (FIGS. 13 and 14) to the respective upper and lower sides of trigger shipper bar 111.

Tension springs 121, 121' are connected to the respective links a, b with the rear ends of tension springs 121, 121 being suitably connected to standard 84. Tension springs 121, 121' are so arranged as to urge the respective toggle units 114, 114 forwardly of dead center (toward the timing device 112) when either toggle unit is open, but the respective springs 121, 121' are relaxed when the respective toggle units 114, 114' are closed or collapsed. Stop pins 122, 122' on the outer end portions of the respective links b, a engage adjustable abutments or set screws 123, 123' (FIG. 10) in the respective brackets 116, 116' whenever the respective toggle units 114, 114' are open, thus limiting the extent to which toggle units may open, in alternation, and thereby limiting the range of movement of triggers 100, 100'.

The breaking of upper toggle unit 114 permits the then loaded left-hand trigger spring 101 (FIGS. 5 and 10) to activate the left-hand trigger 100 to start movement of pawl 90 toward active position with respect to gear 730. In so doing, the left-hand trigger spring 101 also moves trigger shipper bar from the left-hand position of FIGS. 13 and 14 to the right-hand position of FIGS. 3, 4 and 10, thus collapsing upper toggle unit 1 14 to the extent permitted by engagement of stop pin 122' of toggle unit 114' with set screw 123' in bracket 116'.

In this regard, it should be noted that when upper toggle unit 114 is collapsed, lower toggle unit 114' is opened as the pivot 120' of toggle link b' is shifted from left to right in FIG. 14 with trigger shipper bar 111. This places the previously untensioned tension spring 121 under tension so the proximal ends of lower toggle links a, b are moved forwardly beyond dead center with respect to pivots 117, 120. Also, the clockwise movement of link b (FIG. 13), incident to the collapsing of upper toggle unit 1 14, rotates switch shaft 83 approximately one-fourth revolution to change the state of reversing drum switch- 82, thereby reversing motor and initiating a change from counterclockwise movement to clockwise movement of driving means 73 in FIGS. 3, 5, 6, 7 and 10.

Upon initiation of such clockwise rotation of driving element 73, it is apparent from the foregoing description that the then front portion of pawl is in engagement with gear 73a as in FIGS. 5 and 10. Thus, during the first approximately one-half revolution of driving element 73 in a clockwise direction in FIG. 5, rocker lever 67 is rotated with driving element 73 so that the follower 66 thereon, moving in engagement with the slot 65 in shifting cam 64, imparts a stroke in left to right movement to shifting bar 60, thereby moving the transfer members 45, 46 from left to right in FIGS. 3; i.e., from the solid line position to the dotted line position, to move the then empty sliver can C' into a coiling position under coil forming member 23 (FIG. 2). As heretofore explained, such coiling position is offset with respect to the coiling position previously occupied by the then full sliver can C, which was moved out from under the coil forming member 23 by engagement of sliver can C therewith in the course of its movement into coiling position.

It should be noted that, upon initiation of the latter clockwise rotation of driving element 73, and during a portion of the interval in which the shifting members 45, 46 are moving from left to right in FIG. 3, the gear 73a is in driving engagement with the gear 30, 31 (FIG. 1) of sliver can C. Thus, a momentary reversal in the direction of rotation is imparted to sliver can C during the can changing operation, thrusting the can outwardly, permitting the first transfer arm 45 to move away from can C, and causing the axis of sliver can C to move forwardly and outwardly with respect to the axis of sliver can C as the ring 30 rides against the front roller 48 on right-hand transfer member 45.

Consequently, as the gear 30, 31 on the empty sliver can C engages the gear 30, 31 on the full sliver can C, the full sliver can C is shifted outwardly (forwardly) in engagement with roller 48 on right-hand transfer member 45, thus not only doffing the full sliver can C, but at least partially ejecting the same outwardly between transfer members 45, 46. An operator then may readily engage and move the full sliver can C away from the can changing apparatus and may subsequently place a succeeding empty sliver can in engagement with the rollers 47, 48 of the right-hand transfer member 45 preparatory to a subsequent can changing operation being effected from right to left in FIGS. 2 and 3.

Preferably, the outer rollers 48 on the transfer members 45, 46 are so positioned that, when the respective transfer members occupy operative position, an imaginary line extending between the axes of driving element 73 and the roller 48 of the transfer member then occupying operative position will extend substantially through the axis of the sliver can then occupying coiling position. Since the driving element 73 continues to rotate in a clockwise direction during and after the left to right stroke being imparted to transfer members 45, 46 and left-hand transfer member 46 moves empty can C into operative position with respect to gear 73a, it follows that sliver can C then will be rotated in a counterclockwise direction; i.e., in the opposite direction from that in which the full can C was being rotated during the coiling of sliver S thereinto.

Thus, regardless of which transfer arm 45, 46 happens to occupy its respective operative position, the sliver can moved into coiling position thereby and into operative relation to the driving gear 73a, will have a generally tangential driving force applied thereto at a point remote from the free end of the corresponding transfer member or arm and in a rotational direction toward such transfer member to maintain the corresponding can against the then active, or operative transfer arm or, at least, the rollers 47, 48 thereof, to aid in maintaining each successive sliver can in a predetermined coiling position. Notice, however, that the coiling position of alternate sliver cans still will be offset with respect to the coiling position of intervening sliver cans moved into such coiling positions by the respective transfer members 45, 46.

In practice, it has been found that each can changing operation may be effected quite rapidly without damaging the sliver cans and, more especially, without the momentum of the transfer members 45, 46, during each respective donning motion thereof, causing the respective sliver can to be propelled away from the respective pairs of rollers 47, 48. In other words, because of the substantially semicircular motion of follower 66 imparting translational motion to shifting cam 64 and bar 60, the rate of movement of shifting bar 60 is substantially slower at opposite ends of each stroke thereof in each direction than it is at a medial portion of each such stroke. Accordingly, shifting bar 60 and transfer arms 45, 46 start to move slowly during each stroke thereof and gradually increase in speed until they reach the half-way point whereupon the rate of speed of shifting bar 60 and transfer members 45, 46 gradually diminishes to the termination of the corresponding stroke.

By way of example the rate of rotation of drive shaft 71 and gear 73a, of an actual apparatus according to this invention, was about 6 revolutions per minute and, accordingly, each can changing operation was effected within about five seconds.

Referring again to the operation of rocker lever 67 in effecting left to right movement of transfer members 45, 46 from the solid line to the dotted line position shown in FIG. 3, in order to ensure that toggle cam 92 occupies a neutral position at the end of each stroke of transfer members 45, 46 from left to right in FIG. 3; as the rocker lever 67 approaches the end of a counterclockwise half-revolution thereof from the position of FIG. 5 to that of FIG. 6, the left-hand locking roller 600, under the influence of tension spring 602 (FIGS. 8 and 15), yieldably engages cam surface 67a on the pointed end of rocker lever 67 at about the same time that the laterally projecting cam surface 64a on shifting cam 64 moves into the path of and is engaged by the inner portion of hollow toggle cam 92 (see FIG. 6).

As hollow toggle cam 92 engages cam surface 64a of shifting cam 64, further clockwise rotation of rocker lever 67 causes toggle cam 92 to rotate in a clockwise relative to rocker lever 67, thus moving the then rear, trailing, portion of pawl out of engagement with gear 73a and thus interrupting further rotation of rocker lever 57 by gear 73a. However, in order to move pawl 90 to a neutral position so that its operation may be properly triggered subsequently by right-hand trigger as in FIG. 7, further clockwise movement is imparted to rocker lever 67 as spring 60c imparts a left to right movement to left-hand locking roller 60a from the position of FIG. 6 to that of FIG. 7. Consequently, rocker lever 67 is moved in a clockwise direction until follower 66 engages the front end of slot 65, thus moving hollow toggle cam 92 and pawl 90 to the neutral position shown in FIG. 7 through engagement of toggle cam 92 with the cam surface 64a of shifting cam 64.

By comparing FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, it will be noted that, as the shifting bar 60 was moved from left to right with the clockwise movement of rocker lever 67, the cam surface 67b on the pointed end of rocker lever 67 permitted initiation of clockwise movement of rocker lever 67 by virtue of the spring 60e (FIG. 8)'permitting the right-hand locking roller 60b to yield to the right in FIG. 5. Of course, immediately following initiation of such clockwise movement of rocker lever 67, righthand locking roller 60b was moved away from the pointed end of rocker lever 67 by virtue of the motion then being imparted to shifting bar 60. As shifting bar 60 approached the right-hand end of its stroke in left to right movement, the right-hand locking roll 60b moved into engagement with spring loading arm 104' thus loading the spring 101'. Also, during such left to right movement of shifting bar 60, it is apparent that lefthand locking roller 60a was moved out of engagement with the left-hand spring loading arm 104 so that lefthand trigger spring 101 is relaxed at the time that righthand trigger spring 101 is loaded.

Upon the new sliver can C now in coiling position being filled with a predetermined amount of sliver from coil forming member 23, a right to left stroke is imparted to transfer members 45, 46 in a manner somewhat similar to that heretofore described, but wherein the direction of rotation of driving element 73 is again reversed so that it rotates in a counterclockwise direction and imparts a corresponding counterclockwise movement to rocker lever 67 from the position of FIG. 7 to that of FIG. 5. To initiate a can changing operation in which the transfer members 45, 46 move from right to left, the lower toggle unit 114' is collapsed so that the links a, b' thereof move from the position of FIG. 10 to that of FIG. 14, during the course of which trigger shipper bar 11 1 is moved from right to left to move the linksa, b of upper toggle unit 1 14 from the collapsed position of FIG. 10 to the open position of FIG. 13.

Obviously, such movement of upper toggle unit 114 to the open position rotates switch shaft 83 in a counterclockwise direction in FIGS. 10 and 13 to change the state of reversing drum switch 82. Since the consequent right to left movement imparted to transfer members 45, 46 in FIG. 3 is then effected in substantially the same, but opposite manner to that heretofore described with respect to the left to right movement of transfer members 45, 46, a further detailed description thereof is deemed unnecessary. However, in order to initiate each shifting movement of transfer members 45, 46, the timing device 112 is provided, which will now be described.

Timing device 112 comprises a substantially vertically disposed, composite or sectional, tubular, timer shaft 130 (FIGS. 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14) whose lower end is keyed or otherwise suitably secured to the upper end of drive shaft 71 so as to rotate in fixed relation to drive shaft 71. A medial portion of timer shaft 130 is provided with internal longitudinally extending keyways 131 closed at opposite ends thereof by shoulder abutments 132, 132 formed by the threaded connection of upper and lower sections of timer shaft 130 with the medial section thereof FIG. 12).

A pair of vertically movable, relatively vertical adjustable, upper and lower timing nuts 133, 133' are keyed in keyways 131 so as to rotate with timer shaft 130 about a threaded medial portion of a substantially vertically movable timer core shaft or rod 135 (FIGS. and 12). Beneath threaded portion 0, core rod 135 has upper and lower, oppositely tapered, frustoconical, timing cams d, d fixed thereon. During the coiling of sliver into each successive sliver can C or C (FIGS. 1 and 3), timing cams d, a" are spaced above and below, respectively, a pair of upper and lower timing dogs or latches 136, 136' mounted in suitable slots in the periphery of the lower section of timer shaft 130.

The outer surfaces of timing dogs 136, 136' normally are substantially flush with the outer surface of shaft 130, to which position they are urged by respective springs 137, 137' (FIGS. 11, 13 and 14). At the same time, however, the inner surfaces of timing dogs 136, 136' project inwardly into the vertical or axial plane of the timing cams d, d so that, when cams d, d are moved into engagement with the inner surfaces of timing dogs 136, 136', in alternation, the timing dogs 136, 136' will be pivoted outwardly.

Timing dogs 136, 136' face in opposite directions with respect to each other so that, when timing cam d moves downwardly and engages and pivots upper tiniing dog 136 outwardly during counterclockwise rotation of driving member 73 (FIG. 5), tubular drive shaft 71, and timer shaft 130, as in FIG. 13, the outer leading portion of upper timing dog 136 will be moved into the plane of, and thus move into engagement with, a projection or tooth 140 on link b of upper toggle unit 1 14. Thus, upper timing dog 136 will cause toggle links a, b to move rearwardly of dead center at their junctures, whereupon the loaded left-hand trigger spring 101 (FIG. 5) will cause trigger shipper bar 111 to shift from left to right in FIG. 13 thereby collapsing the upper toggle unit 114 so that projection l40.on toggle link b will move away from and release dog 136.

Simflarly, when timing cam d moves upwardly with core rod 135, it engages and pivots lower timing dog 136 outwardly, while the driving means 73, the main drive shaft 71 and timer shaft are rotating in a clockwise direction, so that lower dog 136' will move outwardly into the plane of and thereby move into en gagement with a projection 140' (FIG. 10) on link a of lower toggle unit 114'. Thus, each time that upper timing cam a' engages and pivots upper timing dog 136 outwardly, which always occurs during counterclockwise rotation of driving element 73 and timer shaft 130, upper toggle unit 114 is collapsed by dog 136 to initiate the imparting of a left to right stroke to transfer members 45, 46 in FIG. 3 in the manner heretofore described. Similarly, each time lower timing cam d (FIG. 12) moves into engagement with and imparts an outward pivotal movement to lower timing dog 136, which occurs during only clockwise rotation of driving element 73, lower timing dog 136 engages and initiates the collapsing of lower toggle unit 114 which, in turn, initiates the imparting of a right to left stroke to transfer arms 45, 46 as approximately one half revolution is imparted, in a counterclockwise direction, to rocker lever 67 from the position shown in FIG. 7 to that shown in FIG. 5.

In order to impart the desired vertical movement to the timing cams d, d to effect the operation of the timing dogs 136, 136 in the manner just described, timer shaft 130 rotates relative to core rod 135, thus causing timing nuts 133, 133' to rotate relative to the threaded portion 0 of core rod 135. If desired, co're rod 135 could remain stationary at all times during rotation of timer shaft 130, but this would require that the threads on the threaded portion 0 of core rod 135 either be extremely fine pitchthreads or that the threaded portion c be of extremely long length. Therefore, means are provided for rotating core rod 135 in the same direction, in each instance, as that in which timer shaft 130 is being rotated, but at a somewhat slower speed than timer shaft 130. I

To this end, the upper end of core rod 135 is provided with a squared or polygonal portion e (FIG. 12) matingly received in a correspondingly shaped cavity 142 in a clutch shaft 143. Yieldably mounted on the upper end of clutch shaft 143, by means of springloaded detent 144, is a crank arm 145 to which the upper end of an inverted cup-shaped shaft 146 is welded or otherwise suitably secured. The lower portion of cup-shaped shaft 146 is slidably received on the upper section of timer shaft 130 and has an external gear 147 fixed thereon or integral therewith which engages an upper intermediate gear 150.

A lower intermediate gear 151, integral with or secured to gear 150, engages a gear 152 fixed on the upper end of the medial section of timer shaft 130. The gears 150, 151 are rotatably supported on the reduced upper end portion of a post 154 which extends downwardly in substantially parallel relation to timer shaft 130 and is suitably secured, at its lower end, to the bracket 116. The relative sizes of gears 147, 150, 151, 152 are such that core rod 135 will rotate at the desired relatively slower speed as compared to that of timer shaft 130. In practice, the sizes of the latter gears were chosen so that core rod 135 rotated at a speed about 75 percent of that of timer shaft 130.

The lead of the threads on the threaded portion c of core rod 135 may be such that nuts 133, 133 move upwardly during counterclockwise rotation of driving element 73 in FIG. 5, and so that nuts 133, 133 move downwardly in FIG. 12 during clockwise rotation of driving element 73 in FIG. 5. Thus, assuming that the lower timing nut 133 was against lower shoulder abutment 132 (FIG. 12) when the filling of silver can C (FIG. 3) commenced, the counterclockwise rotation then being imparted to drive shaft 71 imparted like rotation to driving gear 73a and timer shaft 130 so that, upon the silver can C becoming substantially filled with the desired amount of sliver, upper timing nut 133 (FIG. 12) then would be positioned in engagement with upper shoulder abutment 132 as shown in FIG. 12.

The weight of core rod and timing nuts 133, 133 thereon is normally balanced by a compression spring 155 supporting a presser element 156 engaging the rounded lower end of core rod 135. Therefore, with further counterclockwise rotation of timer shaft 130 in FIG. 10, the upper timing nut (FIG. 12), then being in engagement with shoulder abutment 132, will cause core rod 135 to move downwardly in opposition to spring 155. This moves the upper timing cam d into engagement with upper timing dog 136 to initiate and subsequently effect a left to right movement of the transfer members 45, 46 from the solid line position to the dotted line position shown in FIG. 3, in the manner heretofore described.

Since the sliver cans C, C are in abutting relation as sliver can C engages and moves sliver can C outwardly from under the coil forming member 23 in the manner heretofore described, the rotation of coil forming member need not be interrupted during the can changing operation, because the coil forming member 23 will simply drag the sliver across the upper edge of the two adjacent sliver cans and then commence depositing the sliver in the empty sliver can. Also, the coil forming member may be driven to rotate in either direction (although rotating in the same direction at all times during each coiling operation) without adversely affecting the coiling operation.

Now, as heretofore stated, during the course of each can changing operation, the direction of rotation of drive shaft 71 and driving gear 73a is reversed so that at the start of the filling of the sliver can C with sliver, drive shaft 71 will be rotating in a clockwise direction, as in FIG. 7, and the upper timing nut 133 will be in engagement with the upper shoulder abutment 132. Thus, timing shaft rotates in a clockwise direction in FIG. 10 during the filling of the second can C with sliver, and such clockwise rotation of timer shaft 130 causes the timing nuts 133, 133 to move downwardly relative I rotation of timer shaft 130 will then cause the nut 133 to lift the core rod 135 relative to timer shaft 130, thus moving lower timer cam d into engagement with lower timing dog 136 to initiate and effect a can changing operation in which the transfer arms or members 45, 46 move from the dotted line position to the left and to the solid line position shown in FIG. 3.

It is apparent that the distance between the lower timing nut 133 and the shoulder abutment 132' when timing nut 132 is against shoulder abutment 132 determines the length of time that drive shaft 71 and driving element 73 must rotate in the clockwise direction in FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 10 before the transfer members are moved from right to left in FIG. 3, thus determining the amount of sliver which will be deposited in the can C. Conversely, with the lower timing nut 133' positioned against the lower shoulder abutment 132 the distance then present between the upper timing nut 133 and shoulder abutment 132 will determine the period of time during which the main drive shaft 71 and driving element 73 will rotate in a counterclockwise direction before the transfer members 45, 46 have a stroke from left to right imparted thereto to move the same from the solid line to the dotted line position shown in FIG. 3.

In the event that the sliver can occupying coiling position is partially filled when an operator desires to effect a can changing operation, the operator may manually rotate the crank by lifting the gear 147 out of engagement with gear 150, thus rotating core rod 135 in a desired direction to move the timing nuts either upwardly or downwardly relative to the core rod 135 to a corresponding starting position Further, if the operator desires to change the period during which a sliver can filling cycle is being carried out; i.e., during which the drive shaft 71 rotates in one or the other direction, the cover 157 over the gears 147, 151, 152 may be removed by loosening the fastening screw 158 from the upper end of post 154. At the same time, the operator may lift the cup-shaped shaft 146 and its gear 147 off of the upper end of core rod 135 and timer shaft 130, and then remove the upper section of timer shaft 130 from the medial section thereof. Thereupon, core rod 135 may be easily withdrawn upwardly out of the tubular timer shaft 130, and the timing nuts may be adjusted the desired distance apart thereon, and whereupon the parts may be reassembled.

Although the can changing apparatus is provided with its own motor 80 for driving the same, it is apparent that the main drive shaft 71 may be driven by the usual drive mechanism of the sliver forming machine 21 with a suitable reversing means interposed between drive shaft 71 and the sliver forming machine for effecting changes in the direction of rotation of drive shaft 71 at the desired intervals. Also, the timing device is shown by way of example only, since it is apparent that solenoids or other means operated by the usual yardage counter or the like of the associated sliver forming machine may be used for collapsing the toggle units 114, 114 at predetermined intervals, all without departing from the invention. By providing the can changing apparatus with its own driving motor, the need for disturbing the drive mechanism of the sliver forming machine 21 is obviated however.

As is usual, the open upper ends of the sliver cans are spaced below the spectacle 22 and its extension 42 while the casters 27 of the cans are positioned on the supporting surface 40 (H6. 1). As shown, spectacle extension 42 is of such size as to accommodate relatively large sliver cans therebeneath; i.e., sliver cans of greater area, in plan, than that of the usual spectacle 22. In practice, sliver cans about four feet in diameter have been used, as opposed to conventional size cans of about 2 feet in diameter, for example.

In any event, it is to be noted that, as each successive sliver can is being filled with sliver, spectacle extension is of sufficient size so that the entire mass of sliver in the can may impinge against spectacle 22 and extension 42 so as to be compacted in the can. The spectacle extension 42 also overlies each filled can as it is being doffed and directed forwardly and outwardly to where the filled can projects forwardly between the free ends of the transfer members 45, 45' so as to prevent the compacted sliver from expanding and spilling over the upper edge of the sliver can.

Of coruse, as the operator subsequently removes the filled can, he prevents the spilling of the sliver therefrom as it expands and as the can is manually moved forwardly from beneath the spectacle extension. Also, before or during the manual removal of each successive filled can from between the free ends of transfer members 45, 45, the operator may break or sever the sliver portion extending between the filled can and the can then occupying one or the other of the coiling positions.

It is thus seen that applicant has provided an improved apparatus and method for automatically transferring sliver cans into coiling positions under a coil forming member from points spaced substantially on opposite sides of the coil forming member, and wherein each can fed from one side of the coil forming member is moved into a coiling position which is offset from the coiling position into which each can is moved from the opposite side of the coil forming member. Further, alternate sliver cans thus moved into coiling position are rotated in the opposite direction from that in which intervening sliver cans moved into coiling position are rotated.

Additionally, the apparatus provides, for the first time to applicant's knowledge, automatic means operable at predetermined times for successively transferring wheeled or castered cans across a stationary planar supporting surface into and out of coiling position and for rotating each successive can transferred into coiling position with the can resting on the supporting surface during such rotation; i.e., without the need for providing a rotary turntable for supporting and imparting rotation to each successive can moved into coiling position. 1

In the drawings and specification there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention and although specific tenns are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only, and not for purposes of limitation.

I claim:

1. A method of doffing a first sliver can from under the rotary coil forming member of a coiler and replacing the same with a second sliver can; said method comprising moving the first can outwardly away from under the coil forming member while moving the second can inwardly toward and under the coil forming member and positioning the second can in a predetermined coiling position offset from the coiling position previously occupied by the doffed first can.

2. A method according to claim 1, utilizing sliver cans provided with supporting rollers on the bottoms thereof, and wherein the moving of the first and second cans includes moving the supporting rollers thereof along a substantially planar supporting surface therebeneath throughout each prescribed movement of the first and second cans.

3. A method according to claim 2, further comprising rotating each of said cans while in coiling position with the supporting rollers thereof rolling in engagement with said planar supporting surface.

4. A method according to claim 1, which includes rotating the can to be doffed in one direction during coiling of the sliver thereinto by the coil forming member, and rotating the empty can, when subsequently positioned under the coil forming member, in the opposite direction from said one direction during coiling of thesliver thereinto.

5. A method of donning and rotating sliver cans with respect to the rotary coil forming member of a textile coiler utilizing automatic means for moving successive sliver cans spaced away from the coil forming member into operative relation with respect to the coil forming member, and wherein the sliver cans have respective supporting rollers on the bottoms thereof; said method comprising automatically moving successive cans, one at a time, into operative relation with the coil forming member while positioning alternate successive cans in offset relation to the positioning of intervening successive cans and while moving the supporting rollers of each successive can upon a substantially planar supporting surface therebeneath, and imparting rotation to each successive can thus moved into operative relation with the coil forming member while still supporting each successive sliver can on its rollers moving in rolling engagement with the planar surface.

6. A method of doffing' a full can of sliver from under a rotary coil forming member of a coiler and replacing the same with an empty can without interrupting operation of the coiler; said method comprising moving the empty can into engagement with the full can to move the full can away from under the coil forming member while positioning the empty can under the coil forming member in a predetermined coiling position offset from and short of the coiling position previously occupied by the doffed full can.

7. In a method of donning and doffing sliver cans automatically with respect to a common coiler having a rotary coil forming member; the steps of successively positioning said cans, one at a time, beneath the coil forming member while continuously rotating the coil forming member in a given direction and coiling sliver therefrom into the respective cans, while rotating alternate ones of the successive cans thus positioned beneath the coil forming member in one direction and rotating intervening ones of the successive cans thus positioned beneath the coil forming member in the opposite direction so that the sliver is coiled into the intervening cans in the opposite direction from which the sliver is coiled in the alternate cans.

8. A method according to claim 7, in which the successive positioning of the cans comprises imparting a translational movement to each alternate can from adjacent one side of the coiler toward and to a position beneath the coil forming member, then imparting rotation to the respective alternate can in said one direction, and upon each alternate can receiving therein a predetermined amount of sliver, imparting a translational movement to a respective one of the intervening cans from adjacent the opposite side of the coiler toward and to a position beneath the coil forming member while moving the corresponding alternate can out from beneath the coil forming member, and then imparting rotation to the one of the intervening cans in the opposite direction from that in which the alternate can was rotated.

9. A method according to claim 8, which includes moving the respective one of the intervening cans into engagement with the said alternate can during said translational movement of the respective one of the in tervening cans to effect said moving of the corresponding alternate can out from beneath the coil forming member.

10. A method of donning and doffing sliver cans relative to a rotary coil forming member of a textile coiler; said method comprising positioning a first empty can adjacent to but spaced away from a first side of the coil forming member, moving the first can laterally in one direction into a coiling position under the coil forming member for receiving sliver therein from the coil forming member, positioning a second can adjacent to but spaced away from a second side of the coil forming member opposite from said first side while the first can is being filled with sliver, and moving the second can laterally in the opposite direction from the movement of the first can and into a coiling position under the coil forming member while doffing the first can by moving the same generally in said opposite direction outwardly from under the coil forming member.

11. A method according to claim 10, in which the step of moving the first can in one direction includes starting such movement relatively slowly, gradually increasing the rate of such movement to a medial point in such movement and then gradually reducing the rate of such movement until the first can substantially reaches its coiling position.

12. A method according to claim 10, wherein the step of doffing the first can comprises moving the second can into engagement with the first can so that the second can imparts movement to the first can.

13. A method of doffing and donning sliver cans with respect to the rotary coil forming member of a textile coiler utilizing a pair of laterally spaced first and second transfer arms adapted to engage respective first and second sliver cans positioned therebetween and having complementary free ends; said method comprising causing the first can to move inwardly to coiling position beneath the coil forming member by shifting the transfer arms in a generally linear path in one direction, rotating the first can by applying a generally tangential driving force thereto at a point remote from the free ends of the arms and in a first rotational direction toward the first arm to maintain the first can against the first arm during coiling of sliver into the rotating first can, at least partially ejecting the first can from the first transfer arm by reversing the rotational direction of the generally tangential driving force applied to the first can while causing the second can to move inwardly to coiling position by shifting the transfer arms in a direction substantially opposite from said one direction, and transferring the driving force from the first can to the second can as the second can moves into coiling position.

14. A method according to claim 13 further comprising causing the second can to move against the partially ejected first can and inwardly of the axis of the first can with respect to the free ends of the transfer arms during said shifting of the transfer arms in said opposite direction to further eject the first can outwardly between the free ends of the transfer arms.

15. Apparatus for coiling sliver into sliver cans having supporting rollers on the bottoms thereof; said apparatus comprising a rotary coil forming member, means defining a substantially planar supporting surface below said coil forming member for supporting sliver cans both in coiling position and out of coiling position with respect to said coil forming member, means operable at predetermined times for successively transferring sliver cans across said planar surface into coiling position resting on said planar supporting surface therebelow with alternate successive cans being positioned in offset relation to the positioning of intervening successive cans, and drive means engageable with each successive sliver can thus transferred for rotating the same upon said supporting surface while in coiling position.

16. Apparatus for transferring sliver cans relative to an elevated rotary coil forming member of a textile coiler and wherein said coil forming member is mounted for rotation on a substantially vertical axis; said apparatus comprising first and second laterally spaced transfer members arranged for substantially lateral movement from respective inoperative positions, spaced from respective opposite sides of the coil forming member, to respective operative positions more closely adjacent the coil forming member and wherein said first transfer member occupies inoperative position whenever said second transfer member occupies operative position and vice versa, said first and second transfer members being adapted to engagingly receive respective sliver cans against proximal can-engaging surfaces thereof, and shifting means 

1. A method of doffing a first sliver can from under the rotary coil forming member of a coiler and replacing the same with a second sliver can; said method comprising moving the first can outwardly away from under the coil forming member while moving the second can inwardly toward and under the coil forming member and positioning the second can in a predetermined coiling position offset from the coiling position previously occupied by the doffed first can.
 2. A method according to claim 1, utilizing sliver cans provided with supporting rollers on the bottoms thereof, and wherein the moving of the first and second cans includes moving the supporting rollers thereof along a substantially planar supporting surface therebeneath throughout each prescribed movement of the first and second cans.
 3. A method according to claim 2, further comprising rotating each of said cans while in coiling position with the supporting rollers thereof rolling in engagement with said planar supporting surface.
 4. A method according to claim 1, which includes rotating the can to be doffed in one direction during coiling of the sliver thereinto by the coil forming member, and rotating the empty can, when subsequently positioned under the coil forming member, in the opposite direction from said oNe direction during coiling of the sliver thereinto.
 5. A method of donning and rotating sliver cans with respect to the rotary coil forming member of a textile coiler utilizing automatic means for moving successive sliver cans spaced away from the coil forming member into operative relation with respect to the coil forming member, and wherein the sliver cans have respective supporting rollers on the bottoms thereof; said method comprising automatically moving successive cans, one at a time, into operative relation with the coil forming member while positioning alternate successive cans in offset relation to the positioning of intervening successive cans and while moving the supporting rollers of each successive can upon a substantially planar supporting surface therebeneath, and imparting rotation to each successive can thus moved into operative relation with the coil forming member while still supporting each successive sliver can on its rollers moving in rolling engagement with the planar surface.
 6. A method of doffing a full can of sliver from under a rotary coil forming member of a coiler and replacing the same with an empty can without interrupting operation of the coiler; said method comprising moving the empty can into engagement with the full can to move the full can away from under the coil forming member while positioning the empty can under the coil forming member in a predetermined coiling position offset from and short of the coiling position previously occupied by the doffed full can.
 7. In a method of donning and doffing sliver cans automatically with respect to a common coiler having a rotary coil forming member; the steps of successively positioning said cans, one at a time, beneath the coil forming member while continuously rotating the coil forming member in a given direction and coiling sliver therefrom into the respective cans, while rotating alternate ones of the successive cans thus positioned beneath the coil forming member in one direction and rotating intervening ones of the successive cans thus positioned beneath the coil forming member in the opposite direction so that the sliver is coiled into the intervening cans in the opposite direction from which the sliver is coiled in the alternate cans.
 8. A method according to claim 7, in which the successive positioning of the cans comprises imparting a translational movement to each alternate can from adjacent one side of the coiler toward and to a position beneath the coil forming member, then imparting rotation to the respective alternate can in said one direction, and upon each alternate can receiving therein a predetermined amount of sliver, imparting a translational movement to a respective one of the intervening cans from adjacent the opposite side of the coiler toward and to a position beneath the coil forming member while moving the corresponding alternate can out from beneath the coil forming member, and then imparting rotation to the one of the intervening cans in the opposite direction from that in which the alternate can was rotated.
 9. A method according to claim 8, which includes moving the respective one of the intervening cans into engagement with the said alternate can during said translational movement of the respective one of the intervening cans to effect said moving of the corresponding alternate can out from beneath the coil forming member.
 10. A method of donning and doffing sliver cans relative to a rotary coil forming member of a textile coiler; said method comprising positioning a first empty can adjacent to but spaced away from a first side of the coil forming member, moving the first can laterally in one direction into a coiling position under the coil forming member for receiving sliver therein from the coil forming member, positioning a second can adjacent to but spaced away from a second side of the coil forming member opposite from said first side while the first can is being filled with sliver, and moving the second can laterally in the opposite direcTion from the movement of the first can and into a coiling position under the coil forming member while doffing the first can by moving the same generally in said opposite direction outwardly from under the coil forming member.
 11. A method according to claim 10, in which the step of moving the first can in one direction includes starting such movement relatively slowly, gradually increasing the rate of such movement to a medial point in such movement and then gradually reducing the rate of such movement until the first can substantially reaches its coiling position.
 12. A method according to claim 10, wherein the step of doffing the first can comprises moving the second can into engagement with the first can so that the second can imparts movement to the first can.
 13. A method of doffing and donning sliver cans with respect to the rotary coil forming member of a textile coiler utilizing a pair of laterally spaced first and second transfer arms adapted to engage respective first and second sliver cans positioned therebetween and having complementary free ends; said method comprising causing the first can to move inwardly to coiling position beneath the coil forming member by shifting the transfer arms in a generally linear path in one direction, rotating the first can by applying a generally tangential driving force thereto at a point remote from the free ends of the arms and in a first rotational direction toward the first arm to maintain the first can against the first arm during coiling of sliver into the rotating first can, at least partially ejecting the first can from the first transfer arm by reversing the rotational direction of the generally tangential driving force applied to the first can while causing the second can to move inwardly to coiling position by shifting the transfer arms in a direction substantially opposite from said one direction, and transferring the driving force from the first can to the second can as the second can moves into coiling position.
 14. A method according to claim 13 further comprising causing the second can to move against the partially ejected first can and inwardly of the axis of the first can with respect to the free ends of the transfer arms during said shifting of the transfer arms in said opposite direction to further eject the first can outwardly between the free ends of the transfer arms.
 15. Apparatus for coiling sliver into sliver cans having supporting rollers on the bottoms thereof; said apparatus comprising a rotary coil forming member, means defining a substantially planar supporting surface below said coil forming member for supporting sliver cans both in coiling position and out of coiling position with respect to said coil forming member, means operable at predetermined times for successively transferring sliver cans across said planar surface into coiling position resting on said planar supporting surface therebelow with alternate successive cans being positioned in offset relation to the positioning of intervening successive cans, and drive means engageable with each successive sliver can thus transferred for rotating the same upon said supporting surface while in coiling position.
 16. Apparatus for transferring sliver cans relative to an elevated rotary coil forming member of a textile coiler and wherein said coil forming member is mounted for rotation on a substantially vertical axis; said apparatus comprising first and second laterally spaced transfer members arranged for substantially lateral movement from respective inoperative positions, spaced from respective opposite sides of the coil forming member, to respective operative positions more closely adjacent the coil forming member and wherein said first transfer member occupies inoperative position whenever said second transfer member occupies operative position and vice versa, said first and second transfer members being adapted to engagingly receive respective sliver cans against proximal can-engaging surfaces thereof, and shifting Means operatively connected to said transfer members for imparting said lateral movement thereto for alternately moving said first and second transfer members from their respective inoperative positions into their respective operative positions at predetermined intervals to move each respective can engaged thereby into coiling position under the coil forming member.
 17. Apparatus according to claim 16, including driving means engageable by each successive sliver can moved into coiling position to impart rotation thereto.
 18. Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said driving means is reversible, and control means operatively connected to said driving means for rotating the same in one direction while said first transfer member occupies operative position and for rotating said driving means in the opposite direction while said second transfer member occupies operative position whereby certain sliver cans will be rotated in the opposite direction from that of certain other sliver cans during the coiling of sliver therein.
 19. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the operative positions of said transfer members are such that the axes of respective cans of given diameter moved into coil forming positions by the respective first and second transfer members are offset toward respective opposite sides of the axis of the coil forming member.
 20. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said shifting means being operable to move said first and second transfer members into such operative positions that the axis of each can moved into operative position by said first transfer member is offset toward the inoperative position of said first transfer member with respect to the axis of said coil forming member and the axis of each can moved into operative position by said second transfer member is offset toward the inoperative position of said second transfer member with respect to the axis of said coil forming member.
 21. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said shifting means comprises a rotary element rotating in one direction while said transfer members occupy a first position in which said first transfer member is in its operative position, means responsive to predetermined rotation of said rotary element for reversing the direction of rotation thereof, and means responsive to reversing the direction of rotation of said rotary element for shifting said transfer members to a second position in which said second transfer member is in its operative position.
 22. Apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said rotary element is positioned to be engaged by and to transmit rotation to each successive sliver can moved to coiling position by each transfer member being moved into operative position, and the location and direction of rotation of said rotary element being such with respect to said transfer members when they occupy said first position as to apply a generally tangential driving force to the respective sliver can then in coiling position toward said first transfer member to aid in maintaining the latter can in engagement with said first transfer member.
 23. Apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the location and direction of rotation of said rotary element are such with respect to said transfer members when they occupy said second position as to also apply a generally tangential driving force to each corresponding sliver can toward said second transfer member to aid in maintaining the latter sliver can in engagement with said second transfer member.
 24. Apparatus for donning and doffing substantially cylindrical sliver cans with respect to a rotary coil forming member of a coiler; said apparatus comprising a pair of laterally spaced, first and second, substantially horizontal, transfer arms spaced from opposite sides of the coil forming member, said transfer arms having concave proximal surfaces adapted to receive respective first and second sliver cans in laterally spaced relation therebetween, means supporting rear end portions of said trAnsfer arms for substantially unitary lateral movement between first and second positions wherein, in said first position, said first and second transfer arms occupy respective operative and inoperative positions relative to the coil forming member, and wherein, in said second position, said first and second transfer arms occupy respective inoperative and operative positions relative to the coil forming member, the front ends of said transfer arms being free and spaced apart a distance greater than the diameter of each sliver can but less than the combined diameters of the first and second cans such that a can may be manually inserted rearwardly into the space between a can occupying operative position and that transfer arm then occupying inoperative position, and means operatively connected to said transfer arms for moving the same to and fro between said first and second positions and thereby alternately moving said first and second transfer arms into operative position.
 25. Apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said means connected to said transfer arms is arranged to move each transfer arm a distance less than the diameter of each can during each movement of said transfer arms between said first and second positions such that each can moved into operative position by said first transfer arm is offset relative to the coil forming member toward the inoperative position of said first transfer arm, and such that each can moved into operative position by said second transfer arm is offset relative to the coil forming member toward the inoperative position of said second transfer arm.
 26. Apparatus according to claim 23, including drive means engageable with each can moved into operative position for rotating the same.
 27. Apparatus according to claim 24, wherein each can has supporting rollers on the bottom thereof, a supporting surface beneath said coil forming member on which the rollers of successive cans roll during movement thereof by said transfer arms, rotary drive means operatively associated with said means connected to said transfer arms and drivingly engageable with a rearward portion of each can moved into operative position by each transfer arm, said drive means rotating in such direction as to urge the respective can toward the transfer arm then occupying operative position, the rollers of each can also rolling upon said surface during rotation of each can by said rotary drive means, and means for reversing the direction of rotation of said rotary drive means substantially upon initiation of each said movement of said transfer arms to aid in imparting an outward thrust to the can, then in operative position, relative to the adjacent transfer arm.
 28. Apparatus for doffing a full can of sliver from under a rotary coil forming member of a coiler and replacing the same with an empty can; said apparatus comprising transfer means including means for moving the empty can into engagement with the full can to move the full can outwardly away from under the coil forming member and including means for positioning the empty can under the coil forming member in a predetermined coiling position offset from the coiling position previously occupied by the doffed full can, rotary driving means engaging and imparting rotation to said full can in one direction while occupying its coiling position, said driving means being engageable by said empty can as it is positioned in its respective coiling position, and cooperating means interconnecting said driving means and said transfer means for imparting reverse rotation to said driving means so as to impart rotation to said empty can in the opposite direction from said one direction while the empty can occupies its coiling position. 